Best Road and Mountain Bike Gear at 2013 Eurobike

September 13, 2013

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Whether you want to race crits on a disc-brake road bike with hydraulic shifting, or shave grams from your big-wheeled mountain bike, the industry came to Eurobike with something for everyone.—Words and images by Matt Phillips

Even fat bikes aren't immune to the charms of carbon. Salsa's new Beargrease boasts a light-as-Utah-powder carbon frame (1,245 grams), and a 700g carbon fork. As Salsa's "racing" fatbike, it features press-fit bottom bracket, tapered steerer, and thru axles, front and rear. The top of the line model shown here is built with SRAM's XX1 1x11 group.

Coming to the USA as a frameset only, Wilier will sell this disc version of their Cento1 SR race bike. Other than the brakes, the Cento1 SR Disc's features, geometry, and even its claimed frame weight (990g) are identical to the rim-brake version we recently reviewed. Although I have not yet tested the bike, it’s likely that changes to the frame and fork to accommodate the disc brakes will give the disc version a different feel than it's rim-braked sibling. Available in November for $4,000.

You can shift your road bike with cables, electronically, and now with hydraulics. German component maker Acros has sold a hydraulic mountain bike drivetrain for several years, and its been hailed for its smooth feel and intricately machined parts. At Eurobike, the company showed a prototype road version of their A-GE shifting system. I tested the demonstration versions of the road shifters and found the action smooth, but requiring more effort than other drivetrains. The shifting mechanism is entirely contained in the lever blade, so the system is, potentially, compatible with almost any braking system. The prototype system was paired with Formula disc brakes identical to those that debuted on the Colnago C59 Disc in 2012.

The Pinion gearbox—an enclosed, multiple-speed, transmission—has 18 speeds spanning an extremely wide range—636 percent. The internals are exposed in this picture, but would be enclosed in a production unit, sealed and protected from the elements. Like other internal gear systems, Pinion eliminates vulnerable external elements like derailleurs. Additionally, the company claims the design lowers a bike's center of gravity, and moves it to the center, improving handling and balance. The Pinion requires a purpose-built frame and the company currently has 36 partners building bikes of all types around the system.

Despite it’s tinkerer’s workshop appearance, the Lauf Trailracer is a rideable—though not yet for sale—suspension fork for 29-inch wheels. At a claimed weight of less than 1,000 grams, it’s very light—more than 400 grams lighter than a RockShox 29" SID World Cup—and uses composite leaf springs to provide the 60mm of travel. Besides low weight, Lauf says the design eliminates friction, which speeds the suspension’s response. The fork has a 1.5” tapered steerer tube, 15mm thru axle drop outs and clearance for a 2.35" tire. Currently, Lauf is planning to start selling the Trailracer in the summer of 2014. It will cost about $1,000.

The $1,300 price is steep, but Enve says the SES Aero Bar comes with everything you need to speed up your next time trial, and it’s all in a single, highly adjustable package. Three-in-one extensions come out of the box as S-bends, but can be cut down to a J-bend, or straight. The extensions can be placed 5-35mm above the base bar, or underneath it for a more aggressive position, and can tilt up or down by as much as 15 degrees. Pad-width is adjustable and the pads themselves are large, designed for long-distance comfort, says Enve. The forward-swept base bar is UCI legal, can be flipped for rise or drop positioning, and its 31.8mm center section is compatible with traditional road stems. In a nod to triathletes who may travel with their bike, you can make all of the adjustment with a 4mm hex wrench.

Demarchi created this commemorative jersey to celebrate the 1951 victory of Louison Bobet at the Milan-San Remo spring Classic. The jersey is tubular knit—like the sweater your grandma made you—from Merino wool, and hand embroidered with Bobet's Bottecchia-Ursus team logos. A hand-painted figurine accompanies the jersey. Only 51 pieces will be sold worldwide. Suggested price is approximately $240

A revised, not redesigned, version of Continental's GP4000s high-end clincher is available in more widths—20, 23, 25, and 28mm. The company has also continued to tinker with the Black Chili tread compound for more incremental improvements in traction, rolling resistance, and mileage. You can spot the GP4000S2 by its distinctive sidewall color options.

In an effort to improve puncture and cut resistance, Challenge is adding a second layer of their Puncture Protection System (PPS) material—the red you see in the sidewall—to some of their tires. Nothing is free, though: the second layer adds about five grams and slightly increases rolling resistance. PPS2 is found in Challenge's 27mm Paris Roubiax clincher and tubular, 30mm Strada Bianca clincher and tubular, the Alamanzo gravel-racing clincher, and the Triathlon clincher and tubular

With a solid line of mountain bike wheels in place, SRAM has turned their attention to riders looking for solid hubs to lace to their favorite aftermarket rims. The X0 hubs—130g, $197 front; 250g, $364 rear—have factory-set bearing preload that the company says will never need an adjustment. The hubs can easily swap between different axle standards and cassette interfaces. The freehub has a speedy 6.9-degree engagement, the hubs come drilled for 28 or 32 spokes, and you will be able to pick from gloss black or matte black finish when they go on sale in December.

Despite hosting a media launch of their new X-Project shoe a year ago, Pearl Izumi has not yet sold any X-Project shoes, or even said much about it, after encountering production challenges stemming from it's unique sole. Those challenges have now been addressed, the shoe should be, Pearl Izumi claims, for sale in late 2013 or early 2014. There are three models: the $280, 320 gram 1.0; the $210, 325g 2.0 (shown); and the $160, 330g 3.0. The 2.0 and 3.0 also come in women's versions.

Enduro racing requires specific equipment demands. The timed elements are gravity-powered and reminiscent of downhill racing, while the transfers between those descents can involve difficult climbing and occasional hiking. Seeking a footwear solution, Mavic crossbred their lightweight Fury XC shoe with their protective, grippy-soled, Alpine XL model to create the $200 Crossmax Enduro shoe. It has the protection and sole grip of the Alpine, and the security of the Fury's ratcheting closure. Sole stiffness doesn't reach the Fury's level—the Crossmax is softer for more comfortable hiking—but it's significantly stiffer than the Alpine XL, Mavic claims.

The Vector Evo's single rail design allows a narrower shell, for more pedaling clearance, and "tuned" lateral flex that eliminates hot spots, Ritchey claims. Additionally, they claim the system provides a more compliant ride than traditional carbon rails, while the hammock-shaped rail tensions the shell when the rider sits, eliminating shell sag over time. The system allows 40mm of fore/aft adjustment and the clamp, included with the saddle, is compatible with Ritchey's Link posts. The saddle is available in both of Ritchey's signature saddle shapes, Streem and Contrail, and costs $150. The compatible posts cost $90 for aluminum, and $230 for carbon.

Combining elements of their polyester ProTeam top with their 100-percent Merino wool base layer results in this new base layer. With 30-percent Merino and 70-percent polyester, Rapha says that the merino-mesh is comfortable to wear year-round. It’s also naturally odor-, and bacteria-resistant. The top is offered as both a short sleeve ($80) and a long sleeve ($85), and in cream or black.

Mavic's new pedal venture is a partnership with their French compatriots at Time. Though Mavic and Time spoke of bigger things when the partnership was first announced in early 2013, the first results is reminiscent of Time's existing iClic road and ATAC mountain designs, branded with Mavic’s looks and branding. Not that there's anything wrong with that—Time's designs are unique and work very well. Paired with Mavic's reach, this partnership will give more riders access to great pedals.

Designed to complement Giro's New Road cycling apparel, the $175 Aspect's design recalls the leather hairnets of a bygone era. Inside, the helmet has the RocLoc Air fit and ventilation system that the company originally designed to lift the helmet slightly, generating more ventilation. The outward appearance is simple, with few logos and simple styling. A removable cycling-cap-style visor and heather straps complete the look.